COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The two-time reigning NCAA Champion Buckeyes return to the court Saturday (Jan. 6) for the 2018 season opener versus North Greenville University at 7 p.m. ET inside St. John Arena. As always for Ohio State men's volleyball regular season home matches: Free admission. Free parking. Free fun!

HISTORY WITH THE CRUSADERS
There is none in this all-time series as Saturday marks the first ever meeting between Ohio State and North Greenville in men's volleyball.

SZERSZEN -- PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Senior Buckeye Nicolas Szerszen received the most votes in the country for the `Off The Block' Preseason All-America Teams, grabbing a spot on the First Team. Its marks the second straight season he was the top vote-getter. Blake Leeson, a redshirt junior, also received votes for the 2018 Preseason All-America recognition.

Szerszen has been named a National Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons, earning the honor from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) in 2016 and Volleyball Magazine in 2017.

TRIO SELECTED FOR PRESEASON ALL-MIVA
Three Buckeyes received Preseason All-MIVA accolades to start 2018, highlighted by Nicolas Szerszen as the `18 Preseaon Player of the Year. Maxime Hervoir and Blake Leeson were also voted to the Preseason All-MIVA Team.

NEXT UP
St. John Arena hosts a pair of marquee matchups next weekend when west coasters Stanford and BYU come to town. Ohio State opens with a scuffle against No. 8 Stanford on Friday (Jan. 12) before a rematch of the `17 and `18 NCAA finals versus third-ranked BYU on Saturday (Jan. 13).